The last year has been a big one for the Rowntree Gardens, a faith-based, not-for-profit senior-care community. The company celebrated its 50th anniversary, completed its biggest structural improvement and reinvestment effort since its founding and was named among the Orange County Register’s Top Workplaces.

“Our people are amazing!” said CEO and Board Chair Randy Brown. “Our staff commitment and sincere caring are hallmarks of Rowntree Gardens and the reason we’ve been successful for so long. In fact, most of our community members consider our staff extended family.”

Rowntree Gardens describes itself as one of Orange County’s only five-star Medicare-rated continuous-care retirement communities and as Stanton’s largest employer, with a 332-member staff. Its staff members have an average of 14 years of service with the community, and the longest-serving employee was recently honored for 43 years of service.

In 2014, U.S. News & World Report listed Rowntree Gardens among the Best Nursing Homes in the nation with an overall rating of five stars, the highest rating possible, based on Medicare evaluations. The community attributes much of its success to its faith-based origins and the founders’ decision to recruit people who were not only highly skilled but also had a true heart for service.

“We have 280 community members and 300 employees, which gives us almost a one-to-one ratio. This is no accident; we want to ensure that each community member is receiving the highest level of care possible,” explained Brown.

A social model

Rowntree Gardens was founded on a social model, meaning that staff members care for the physical, emotional and spiritual health community members through a full range of integrated, onsite services. As a continuous-care retirement community, Rowntree Gardens comprises Acacia Independent Living; The Cedars Assisted Living; Gardens Memory Care; New Leaf Rehab Agency; and Elmwood Care Center, which provides long- and short-term skilled nursing care. Rowntree Gardens also offers in-home care through its Faithful Friends Home Care agency.

Its 8-acre campus features walking paths through landscaped gardens, gazebos, a putting green, shuffleboard, a fountain and an intimate, nondenominational chapel.

The community’s focus on overall well-being was a catalyst for its recent structural improvements and reinvestment, an effort that began in 2013. These improvements included renovated dining areas, common rooms, hallways, bathrooms, library and offices. Apartments were updated with modern kitchenettes, and the community added an outdoor barbecue and dining area, communitywide Wi-Fi and more.

“We’ve worked very hard at modernizing to meet and exceed seniors’ evolved expectations; and we’re constantly looking to innovate with new programming and offerings, as well as additional construction projects in the near future,” Brown said. “We are rightfully proud of our past, but even more excited about our future.”

Openness to all

In 2014, Rowntree Gardens announced a rebranding to reinforce its faith-based mission and its positive impact on service, while dispelling misperceptions sometimes associated with its former name, Quaker Gardens. While the community was originally founded by two Friends Churches, also known as Quakers, the new name is intended to emphasize its openness to all.

The new name still reflects its Quaker heritage, however, honoring Joseph Rowntree, a Quaker, philanthropist and businessman in the United Kingdom whose company, Rowntree’s, later created the Kit Kat and Rolo candies.

Rowntree Gardens highlighted its 50th anniversary in October with a major celebration called “Decades of Devotion,” hosted by radio personality Tim Conway Jr. and legendary baseball icon Steve Garvey, both of whom met with attendees and signed autographs.

Staff members with at least 20 years of service – and a few with more than 40 – were specially honored at the event.

“Staff commitment, compassion and sincere caring are hallmarks of Rowntree Gardens,” Brown said. “Most of our community members consider our folks extended family and friends.”

“This is a very exciting and dynamic time at Rowntree Gardens,” he added. “We’re here to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people through all seasons of life with compassionate and skilled care. We hope everything we do brings to life our vision statement, ‘To be a daily blessing to all we encounter.’”

Brown, who also runs his own financial advisory firm, joined Rowntree Gardens as an unpaid board member in 2010. He later became board chairman, and at the board’s request, he became interim (paid) CEO of the community in February 2013. Seeing the senior-living organization prosper under his direction, the board requested in early 2014 that Brown accept a five-year commitment as CEO through 2019.

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